Lifestyle and book blog

T5W | Books that take place in Greece

Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme created by Lainey at Goodreads.
I know that Greece is a small country, but it has many great authors and it has proven it for centuries. The books are ordered based on my personal taste are I have chosen the best ones and some of them they’re considered classics. So, I would strongly advice to put them on your tbr.

ZORBA THE GREEK by N.Kazantzakis |BOOK|MOVIE|The classic novel Zorba the Greek is the story of two men, their incredible friendship, and the importance of living life to the fullest. Zorba, a Greek working man, is a larger-than-life character, energetic and unpredictable. He accompanies the unnamed narrator to Crete to work in the narrator’s lignite mine, and the pair develops a singular relationship. The two men couldn’t be further apart: The narrator is cerebral, modest, and reserved; Zorba is unfettered, spirited, and beyond the reins of civility. Over the course of their journey, he becomes the narrator’s greatest friend and inspiration and helps him to appreciate the joy of living.CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN by L.Derneries |BOOK|MOVIE|Captain Corelli’s Mandolin is set in the early days of the second world war, before Benito Mussolini invaded Greece. Dr Iannis practices medicine on the island of Cephalonia, accompanied by his daughter, Pelagia, to whom he imparts much of his healing art. Even when the Italians do invade, life isn’t so bad–at first anyway. And for Corelli and Pelagia, it becomes increasingly difficult to negotiate the minefield of allegiances, both personal and political, as all around them atrocities mount, former friends become enemies and the ugliness of war infects everyone it touches.

SPUTNIK SWEETHEART by H.Murakami |BOOK|Sumire is in love with a woman seventeen years her senior. But whereas Miu is glamorous and successful, Sumire is an aspiring writer who dresses in an oversized second-hand coat and heavy boots like a character in a Kerouac novel.Sumire spends hours on the phone talking to her best friend K about the big questions in life: what is sexual desire, and should she ever tell Miu how she feels for her? Meanwhile K wonders whether he should confess his own unrequited love for Sumire.Then, a desperate Miu calls from a small Greek island: Sumire has mysteriously vanished…THE ISLAND by V.Hislop |BOOK|SERIES|On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother’s past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more.

THE SYMPOSIUM by Plato |BOOK|
In the course of a lively drinking party, a group of Athenian intellectuals exchange views on eros, or desire. From their conversation emerges a series of subtle reflections on gender roles, sex in society, and the sublimation of basic human instincts. The discussion culminates in a radical challenge to conventional views by Plato’s mentor, Socrates, who advocates transcendence through spiritual love. The Symposium is a deft interweaving of different viewpoints and ideas about the nature of love – as a response to beauty, a cosmic force, a motive for social action, and as a means of ethical education.

Tell me, have you read any of these? Have you read any book written by a Greek?

I have read a fair amount of non-fiction by Greek writers and others, specifically on Greek history during and after World II. It would be interesting to read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin with that background. Must add to be read list…

I’m so happy that you have read sth by Greek writers and I’d be more excited if you really liked them as well.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin is an amazing book. I really like it. If you want an idea, you can see the movie. I loved it
Thank you for your comment x

Hmm now that I think of it the only book that I read that took place (partly at least) in Greece was Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Other then Ancient Greek plays I don’t think I’ve read any contemporary work from Greek writers. Thanks for sharing. This list is a reminder to seek out foreign novelists more often.

I recently got Sputnik Sweetheart and didn’t even know it’s partly set in Greece! This is freaking exciting to me because I LOVE GREECE! It’s the country I’ve visited the most. Spent most of my summer vacations on various greek islands. 😀

My parents both LOVE Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and I share book tastes with both my parents (though it is odd that their book tastes are generally both fairly different). Coincidentally, I’ve just added The Symposium to my e-reader app *today*! And Sputnik Sweetheart has been on my TBR for a little while now so I’ll eventually get around to it.